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"All one in Christ Jesus."

Text: Galatians 3:28d

A GREAT DIVIDE

There was a huge divide between Jew and Gentiles in the days of the apostle Paul. The Great Divide was to be found in several areas:

1. In matters of religion

2. With reference to social interaction

3. With reference to inter-personal relationships

THREAT TO THE CHURCH

Unless this Divide was resolved, the church would always be in grave danger of being torn apart, simply because the social dimension is a very real part of life. Paul argued strongly that because of our justification through Christ, the Great Divide is no more!

ONENESS IN CHRIST

This was a startlingly new thought to the people who lived in the first century!

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female;
for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28

1. A Glimpse of the Social Structure in the first century

a) Jew and Greek (or “Gentile”)

b) Slave and free (the two classes were quite separate)

c) Male and female (Gender distinction problem)

2. “You are all one in Christ Jesus”

Highlights of this oneness:-

a) All share the same faith.

b) All enjoy the blessings of God outpoured.

c) All have the same access to God.

d) All may speak of God as Father.

e) All may own Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

f) All have received the same Holy Spirit.

3. Oneness versus Division

a) There must be conscious application of this oneness we have in Christ.

b) All parties must have enlightened hearts and minds.

c) All must learn to have Christ at the centre of their theology and life.